Delhi Capitals 211 for 9 (Ashutosh 66, Nigam 39, Stubbs 34, Rathi 2-31, Siddharth 2-39, Bishnoi 2-53) beat Lucknow Super Giants 209 for 8 (Pooran 75, Marsh 72, Starc 3-42, Kuldeep 2-20) by one wicket*
A Game-Changing Knock by Ashutosh
Ashutosh Sharma was struggling on 20 off 20 balls, and DC needed over 12 runs per over to win. Then, he switched gears and turned the game around in Delhi Capitals’ opening clash of IPL 2025 against Lucknow Super Giants in Visakhapatnam. With 62 required off 30 balls and four wickets in hand, Ashutosh went berserk, smashing 46 off his next 11 balls to secure an epic one-wicket victory with three balls to spare. As his teammates swarmed him in celebration, LSG’s captain Rishabh Pant could only watch in disbelief.
LSG, having been put in to bat, were powered by Nicholas Pooran (75) and Mitchell Marsh (72) to a formidable 209 for 8. At one stage, they looked set for 250, but DC’s bowlers made a remarkable comeback, conceding just 48 runs in the last seven overs and claiming six wickets. This collapse drastically changed the match scenario, as highlighted in ESPNcricinfo’s live match analysis.
DC’s chase seemed doomed at 7 for 3, but debutant Vipraj Nigam’s 39 off 15 balls sparked hope. After his dismissal with 42 still needed off 23 balls, Ashutosh took charge, finishing the game with a towering six down the ground off Shahbaz Ahmed.
The Rise of ‘Smashutosh’
Having previously shined for Punjab Kings in IPL 2024, Ashutosh had played several breathtaking knocks, but often in losing causes. This time, for his new franchise, he made sure to see the chase through. He was introduced as an Impact Player at 65 for 5 in 6.4 overs, starting cautiously before accelerating explosively. He received great support from Nigam, whose bold strokeplay against Bishnoi and Shahbaz Ahmed rattled LSG.
When Nigam fell, Ashutosh took control, smashing 6, 4, 6 off Bishnoi to bring the equation to 22 off 12 balls. A dramatic run-out of Kuldeep Yadav reduced DC to their final wicket, but Ashutosh finished in style, hammering Prince Yadav for six and four, setting up the final-over heroics. His match-winning performance was a reminder of his incredible potential, as seen in
LSG’s Strong Start & Sudden Collapse
LSG had a dream start, thanks to Marsh and Pooran, who added 87 runs off just 42 balls. Marsh was particularly ruthless in the powerplay, smashing 43 off 19 balls, while Pooran plundered 60 off just 18 balls against spinners, including a 28-run over against Stubbs.
At 161 for 2 in 13 overs, LSG looked set for 250+, with ESPNcricinfo’s forecaster predicting 246. However, Mitchell Starc and Kuldeep Yadav triggered a stunning collapse. Kuldeep removed Pant for a duck, while Starc bowled Pooran with a beauty. LSG crumbled, managing just 33 runs in the last six overs, with Starc and Kuldeep running riot. A detailed breakdown of their downfall can be found in Cricbuzz’s IPL match report. Only David Miller’s late sixes off Mohit Sharma took them past 200, but it ultimately wasn’t enough.
LSG’s Early Strikes in the Chase
Shardul Thakur, who went unsold in the auction and was drafted as an injury replacement, made an instant impact, dismissing Jake Fraser-McGurk and Abishek Porel in his first over. Thakur’s sudden rise from an unsold player to a match-winner highlights the unpredictable nature of IPL. M. Siddharth then sent Sameer Rizvi packing, reducing DC to 7 for 3. Axar and Faf du Plessis added 43 off 23 balls, but both fell in quick succession, leaving DC reeling at 65 for 5.
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